Cultivate creaturely thinking and fathom the human-animal experience at this workshop with Isabel Galleymore.

In writing about animals, Timothy Morton coins the new term ‘the strange stranger’ to emphasise the fact that ‘we can never absolutely figure them out’. Though science continues to provide us with insight into the communication and behaviour of species, much of the realm of the animal remains a mystery. Taking inspiration from Morton’s thinking, this one-day workshop explores poetic approaches to the animal that range from cute and cartoonish depictions to attempts to articulate a creaturely otherness. 

Looking at the work of Les Murray, Vahni Capildeo, Jen Hadfield and Don McKay amongst others, participants will read about how contemporary poets have engaged with animal experience and perspective. They will consider the question of anthropomorphism and discuss both the productive value and ethical dilemma it poses. Over the course of the day, participants will experiment with exercises that give voice to creatures and investigate how far our human language can hope to represent the nonhuman.